This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for a year to 18 months. This person is looking in academic, library vendors/service providers, public, and special libraries, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience. Here is this person’s experience with internships/volunteering:

I am working in a small public library (3+years) while earning my MLIS and watching for jobs that don’t require the degree just yet. I have another masters already

This job hunter is in an rural area in the Western US and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

MLIS in progress
slightly more than I make now $11/hr
not in most NM small towns (or most small towns)

Where do you look for open positions?

NMLA, twitter feeds of joblist, LinkedIn’s RSS, PubLib

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Other: Yes, and how many hours because if >30 might be ok

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

an hour, maybe 2? Depends on the application–can I fill it in online? Is it all one-word fields that I might as well type instead of copy/paste? Checking my resume’ against the job description. typing up a cover letter specific to the job description.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ Other: No, but I don’t disclose if no one asks specifically

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email
:

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
√ Being able to present
√ Other: whether the current manager/director will last long or has been hired yet

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

be clear in the job app about the current problems you hope the candidate to address. Change-agent to break long-term staff of bad habits? Must be long term, current volunteer to fill next opening whenever the city lifts the hiring freeze. Hiring one full-time position instead of two part-time.